Barry Unsworth’s historical novels often explore the dichotomy between appearance and reality, a theme he revisits in The Songs of the Kings. Here, he presents Greek heroes as masters of deception who craft and propagate falsehoods to influence historical narratives. The novel suggests that both art and history are contrived, as noble tales mask the ignoble truths of their subjects.

Setting the Stage at Aulis

The story unfolds in Aulis, where Greek forces gather before their assault on Troy. Officially, they aim to avenge Helen’s elopement with Paris, the Trojan prince, but their true intent is to loot one of the Mediterranean's richest cities. The misalignment between public reason and private motivation underscores the central theme of deception.

The Dilemma of Adverse Winds

The Greek fleet is stalled by persistent unfavorable winds, leading to growing discontent among the troops. Agamemnon, the self-appointed leader, feels pressure mounting as leadership challenges loom. On the seventh day, he consults Calchas, a seer, seeking an explanation and solution to his predicament.

A Not-So-Heroic Tale

The narrative tracks familiar events: Agamemnon’s decision to sacrifice his daughter Iphigeneia to gain favor from the gods, his subsequent triumph in Troy, and his eventual murder by his wife Clytemnestra. Unsworth remains true to these legendary outlines but diverges in character portrayal, depicting figures who are decidedly unheroic and manipulative.

The Structure of Illusions

The novel is crafted like a five-act play. The opening act, "The Eagles of Zeus," introduces an omen involving two eagles interpreted by Calchas. His initial reading flatters Agamemnon and Menelaus, but new revelations complicate the sign. As Calchas loses influence, more sinister advisors step in, reshaping interpretations to serve their ends.

Manipulating Leadership

"The Heavy Burden of Command" details how Odysseus and Chasimenos convince Agamemnon that sacrificing Iphigeneia is a leadership necessity. Each has their reasons: Chasimenos’s loyalty to Agamemnon and Odysseus’s desire for power and wealth. Their manipulative intelligence stands out, marked by modern parallels in political deception.

The Use of Croton

Odysseus and Chasimenos ally with Croton, Zeus’s priest, exploiting his ambition and disdain for Calchas. They leverage Croton’s agnostic views and misogynistic slanders against Calchas's cult to paint Iphigeneia's sacrifice as necessary, using gender biases to sway opinion.

The Singer's Dissonance

Odysseus fails to sway the Singer, who remains devoted to his art. The bard's refusal to distort his song for political gain highlights his detachment from the moral dilemmas surrounding him. Despite possessing the power to alter events, his focus on artistic integrity over truth allows the tragic sacrifice to proceed.

Domestic Bliss and Dread

In "At Mycenae", the focus shifts to Iphigeneia, an innocent and devout young girl. Her joy at a supposed engagement to Achilles turns to confusion as she journeys to meet him. Accompanied by her friend Sisipyla, she remains unaware of the grim fate awaiting her.

Awaiting the Inevitable

"Waiting for Iphigeneia" illustrates the brutality of Greek leaders and their subordinates, eager spectators of her impending sacrifice. Agamemnon, meanwhile, is obsessed with the ceremonial knife, symbolizing his detachment from paternal affection. His image as a decisive leader is maintained, but at a personal cost.

A Final Act of Redemption?

Speculation about Iphigeneia's potential escape is explored in "Dressing Up". Sisipyla’s offer to switch places with her mistress is ultimately declined when Odysseus appeals to Iphigeneia’s sense of familial duty. Her sacrifice is framed as a means to cleanse her family’s tainted legacy.

A New Lens on Old Legends

Unsworth’s retelling captivates even those well-versed in classical myths. His integration of modern language and political jargon grounds the story in contemporary relevance, while his character-driven approach ensures lasting impact. By dissecting the layers of deceit, Unsworth crafts a narrative that reshapes the ancient myths in vivid and memorable ways.

Review Sources

• Booklist 99, no. 12 (February 15, 2003): 1051.
• Kirkus Reviews 71, no. 1 (January 1, 2003): 24-25.
• The New York Review of Books, October 9, 2003, pp. 4-6.
• The New York Times, March 19, 2003, p. E8.
• The New York Times Book Review, March 30, 2003, p. 8.
• The New Yorker 79, no. 15 (June 9, 2003): 103.
• Publishers Weekly 250, no. 7 (February 17, 2003): 57.
• The Spectator 290 (September 21, 2002): 47.
• The Times Literary Supplement, August 30, 2002, p. 8.